TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa police are asking for help finding a suspect they say impersonated a police officer and exposed himself to a woman.

The incident happened Feb. 22 at the Ramada Inn along North West Shore Boulevard. 

What You Need To Know

  • Tampa police said a man impersonating a police officer exposed himself to a woman at the Ramada Inn on North West Shore Boulevard on Feb. 22 

  • Investigators said the suspect was caught on camera moments after the incident

  • Interim Chief Lee Bercaw said it's a felony to impersonate a police officer

  • TPD said anyone who suspects someone may be impersonating an officer should ask for their name, badge number and to see identification

"Our investigators will work tirelessly to apprehend the suspect in this case before he can victimize anyone else," said TPD Interim Chief Lee Bercaw.

According to the police department, the suspect showed the victim a badge before pulling her into a stairwell and exposing himself to her.

Police said the woman was not hurt and pushed the man away before running to safety.

Surveillance cameras caught the man they said is the suspect leaving that stairwell in the hotel lobby after the incident. Video from another camera shows him leaving the lobby and walking northbound to the property next door.

The department said police impersonation is rare, but anyone who suspects someone is impersonating a law enforcement officer should ask for their name, badge number and to see identification.

You can also tell the person you plan to call the non-emergency line, which for TPD is (813) 231-6130, and call 911. Police also encourage the public to trust their instincts.

The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male with a possible Cuban accent. He may be in his 30s, around 5'10"-6'0" tall, and has a muscular build with a belly and some facial hair. Anyone who recognizes him from the surveillance video is asked to call Tampa police.